Prime Ministers were aware of Hooded Men’s torture, lawyer claims
FORMER British Prime Minister Edward Heath was significantly involved in a decision-making process surrounding the torture of 14 men interned in Northern Ireland nearly 46 years ago, the High Court has heard.
A judge was also told Stormont’s Prime Minister at the time, Brian Faulkner, was personally briefed on the deployment of techniques which had one of those being held saying he “prayed for death”.
As lawyers for the so-called Hooded Men argued that their treatment was sanctioned by the British State, it was further claimed that a government minister visited a training exercise for the interrogation methods in 1971.
Details emerged during a legal bid in Belfast yesterday to secure a fully independent and human rights-compliant investigation into what the men were subjected to during the Troubles.
Counsel representing all but one of the group contended that the military taught the torture methods to RUC Special Branch officers who sought assurances of immunity from prosecution before carrying them out.
Hugh Southey QC insisted that any criminal behaviour must be probed, no matter who was involved.
Action is being taken against the Chief Constable, Secretary of State and the Department of Justice over alleged failures to properly probe and order a full inquiry.
Five techniques were said to have been used against the men as part of “deep interrogation” while they were held without trial. They were: being hooded and made to stand in a stress position against a wall and beaten if they fell; being forced to listen to constant loud static noise; and the deprivation of sleep, food and water.
In a statement one of the group recalled collapsing and being punched in the stomach to revive him.
It was not disputed that au- thorisation came from senior government ministers, Mr Southey added.
Papers in the case were said to demonstrate that ministers were aware of what deep interrogation meant.
Mr Justice Maguire was shown references to discussions between the then Defence and Home Secretaries prior to the interrogations starting in August 1971. “Before the interrogation began the director of intelligence personally explained the techniques to Mr (Brian) Faulkner, who obviously was (Northern Ireland) Prime Minister at the time,” Mr Southey said.
Despite gaps in the available documentation, he argued that the material pointed to the British Prime Minister, Mr Heath, being involved in the decision-making process.
He based his claim on details disclosed in papers obtained years later.
Part of the case centres on the alleged role played by RUC officers after they were shown the techniques.
Based on further documents, Mr Southey claimed police obtained high-level guarantees they would be protected.
He added: “It’s quite clear the RUC were concerned about what they were being asked to do, they sought assurances... and those assurances were given at a high ministerial level.”
The case continues.